Euro Paper Talk: Ten Hag all smiles as blockbuster bid is accepted while Man Utd plot second deal for Monaco talent

Manchester United’s bid for Frenkie de Jong has been accepted, with a move for Benoit Badiashile next in their sights, Barcelona may move for a Chelsea man with their Raphinha hopes fading, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Arsenal have been cleared to sign a PSV star.

DE JONG OFFER ACCEPTED AS MAN UTD NEAR FIRST TEN HAG SIGNING

Manchester United are closing on the signing of Frenkie de Jong amid reports in Spain that their opening bid has been accepted.

The Red Devils are under pressure to act with rivals Liverpool and Manchester City both moving swiftly in the summer market. City have agreed a deal for Erling Haaland, while Liverpool are closing on the signing of Darwin Nunez.

The pair were probably out of United’s reach anyway, given their lack of Champions League football. Besides, the top priority for Ten Hag this summer was always to strengthen his midfield. With Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all departing, there is a very obvious hole to fill.

As such, reports in Spain suggested United have launched an opening bid to land De Jong.

Now El Chringuito’s Jose Alvarez reports that their offer – worth a guaranteed £51.2m, plus £17.1m in add-ons – has been accepted by Barcelona.

He states that coach Xavi, while wanting to keep the Dutchman, has decided to sell the player to generate some much-needed funds.

Barcelona are well stocked for midfielders and are still waiting to register new signing Franck Kessie.

As such, De Jong will be allowed to depart with the player now likely to speak with United officials over a potential move next week.

A report recently stated United could offer De Jong as much as £400,000 a week, making him their top earner.

Manchester United make Frenkie De Jong £400k a week offer

Manchester United make Frenkie De Jong offer to be the highest paid player at the club if he leaves Barcelona

United turn focus to Benoit Badiashile

Manchester United may not have long before they can secure their second signing of the Ten Hag era either.

That’s with L’Equipe claiming the Red Devils are ‘very attentive’ towards a deal for Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile.

The 21-year-old has been scouted by United for some time, with the player establishing himself as one of France’s top young talents.

But with just a year left on his deal, Monaco know they will likely be forced to cash in on Badiashile this summer.

His form has alerted the likes of West Ham and Newcastle to his services. Indeed, Newcastle reportedly saw a January offer rejected by the Principality.

However, it is United who could come calling with Ten Hag sniffing out a bargain deal.

The player is unlikely to push for a move away, the report claims, but while he is yet to agree a new deal, Monaco will push to offload Badiashile for as much as they possibly can.

Monaco are also preparing to wave goodbye to Aurelien Tchouameni with the midfielder closing on an £85m move to Real Madrid.

LUKAKU OPTION FOR BARCELONA AS RAPHINHA HOPES FADE

Barcelona are weighing up a possible loan move for Romelu Lukaku if they fail to sign Robert Lewandowski and with their plans for Raphinha facing ruin. (Marca)

Chelsea, however, are willing to take Denzel Dumfries off Inter’s hands in exchange for a one-year loan for Lukaku. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Leeds United are chasing a deal for Bayern Munich’s former Espanyol midfielder Marc Roja. (The Athletic)

Arsenal are in the clear to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV, with the Dutch side lining up Basel forward Joelson Fernandes as a replacement. (VI)

Bordeaux will demand between £11.2m and £12m for Alberth Elis amid links to Leeds United. (L’Equipe)

PSG are pushing to sign Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan this summer, with his sale meaning Tottenham target Alessandro Bastoni will stay. (Fabrizio Romano)

Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji is reportedly on offer to Arsenal, with his representatives hoping two factors can grease a deal to north London. (various)

TANGUY NDOMBELE TARGETS MOVE TO ITALY

Tanguy Ndombele’s agent is exploring a possible move to Lazio or Roma for the unwanted Tottenham midfielder. (Radio Radio)

Barcelona have rebuffed an approach from Wolves for Nico Gonzalez with the 20-year-old firmly in Xavi’s plans. (ESPN)

William Saliba may reportedly rejoin Marseille on loan, though Arsenal first want to reward him with a new contract. (L’Equipe)

Nottingham Forest are in talks with Walter Sabatini over a deal to appoint him as their director of football. (Tuttomercatoweb)

Paulo Dybala’s agents will meet with Inter Milan on Thursday as he edges closer to a free-transfer switch from Juventus. (Sky Italia)

Javi Galan’s agents have confirmed the Celta Vigo left-back is on the market this summer, with Fulham among those keen. (Mundo Deportivo)

Liverpool are on the brink of securing the signing of Darwin Nunez after agreeing a transfer breakdown with Benfica overnight. (Record)

Benfica reportedly rejected the chance to take either Takumi Minamino or Konstantinos Tsimikas as part of the package for Nunez. (Record)

TRINCAO HEADING BACK TO PORTUGAL

Francisco Trincao is in talks over a £12m move to Sporting Lisbon, having failed to impress at Barcelona and having spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Wolves. (Sport)

Real Madrid are closing on the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni with the huge transfer going through next week. (Fabrizio Romano)

Real Madrid’s prospects of signing Rafael Leao appear to be fading amid claims money must be repaid on the Portuguese star’s previous transfers. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Lazio are closing on the signing of Hellas Verona star Ivan Ilic after agreeing personal terms with the Serbian. (SportsItalia)

Lens right-back Jonathan Clauss has revealed he is in talks over a possible move to Atletico Madrid. (Sport)

Antonio Rudiger claims he ‘only ever wanted Real Madrid’ once it became apparent he was leaving Chelsea this summer. (Marca)

Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma has come clean on speculation that he could replace Sadio Mane at Liverpool by making a surprise ‘downgrade’ comment. (Sky Sports)